Love, Like Ghosts: A Bay City Paranormal Investigations Story

to spare. The place was packed, with people waiting at the bar and in the line of chairs beside the door. The hostess led them to the small table they’d reserved next to the window. Through it, Adrian saw the balcony—empty in the October chill—and beyond that, the lights of Franklin Street.
“Good thing you made us a reservation,” Adrian observed as he settled into his seat. “Looks like the whole town’s here tonight.”
“It’s always like this. Most popular date restaurant in town.” Greg arched one fair brow over the top of the wine menu. “It’s the romantic atmosphere.”
Adrian didn’t blush, for a wonder. Must be getting used to his flirting. “It certainly is romantic.” He pinned Greg with his very best seductive look. “But I think that has more to do with the company than anything else.”
To Adrian’s delight, desire flared in Greg’s eyes. He leaned forward, head tilting sideways just slightly. “Adrian, I do believe you’re right.”
Mesmerized, Adrian stared at the soft curve of Greg’s mouth. God, those lips looked so enticing in the low light. The urge to lean over and kiss them pulsed through Adrian’s blood.
Not here. Not now. Later, maybe.
The arrival of their waiter kept Adrian from dwelling on the possibilities of later, for which he was profoundly grateful. It wouldn’t do to daydream about kissing Greg while sitting across the table from the man. Especially if he wanted a chance at kissing Greg for real. And God, he did, even though the thought made him sick with mingled anticipation and fear.
Greg ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio. The two of them sipped the wine and talked while waiting for their dinner order to arrive. The anxiety Adrian had suffered earlier had vanished, and he felt completely at ease with Greg. Which amazed him, considering his usual difficulties when it came to connecting romantically with men.
Of course, they hadn’t yet touched on any topic more difficult than classes, Chapel Hill and the haunted house.
Stop borrowing trouble. You usually don’t get this far, you know. Just relax and enjoy yourself for once. Nodding to himself, Adrian drained his wineglass.
Greg gave him an amused look. “Okay there?”
“Yes. Fine.” With a bright smile, Adrian planted his elbow on the table and plopped his chin into his hand. “So, you were gonna tell me about that weird play you were in last spring?”
Grinning, Greg picked up the wine bottle and refilled both their glasses. “Yeah. It was written by a student who graduated year before last. It’s called—”
“Oh my God. Greg?”
Frowning, Adrian straightened up and turned just in time to see a blur of blond hair and black clothes rush at Greg and throw a pair of long arms around him. Adrian tamped down the instant surge of anger and jealousy. It wasn’t like he had any right to feel it. He raised his eyebrows in silent question.
With an apologetic look at Adrian, Greg pushed the boy gently but firmly away. “Hi, Trey. This is my date, Adrian Broussard. Adrian, this is Trey Grover.”
Trey turned an ice-cold turquoise gaze on Adrian. “Oh. You’re dating?”
Do not rise to the bait. Adrian forced himself to smile and hold out his hand instead of growling. “Hello, Trey. Nice to meet you.”
“Hm, yes.” Trey gave Adrian a brief, limp shake before swiveling around to beam at Greg like a lighthouse beacon. “So, where’ve you been hiding? I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I’ve been pretty busy. Classes, the haunted house.” Greg’s gaze caught Adrian’s, and the heat there was unmistakable. “Other things.”
Trey glanced between the two of them. His lips thinned, and Adrian knew he’d caught Greg’s meaning. Adrian found himself absurdly grateful for that.
“Yes. Well.” Leaning far too close to Greg, Trey ran a fingertip up and down his forearm. “Call me, huh? I miss you.”
Adrian watched Trey sashay off, narrow hips swaying, and shook his head. He was still angry, but mostly because the other man had obviously made Greg uncomfortable. “He’s kind of clueless, huh?”
“You could say that. We went out once, and that was once too many for me.” Greg touched Adrian’s hand. “I’m sorry he interrupted us. He’s a total self-centered prick.”
“It’s okay.” Adrian stared into Greg’s eyes, struck by a thought he’d had more than once in the past two days. “Why did you ask me out?”
Greg’s eyebrows shot up. “This isn’t about Trey, is it? Because